At each primary there shall be elected for each congressional district of this state the number of delegates and alternates that shall be determined by the national committee of the party and certified to the secretary of state not later than the first Tuesday in January preceding the primary by the state committee of the party. The method of election of candidates for delegate shall be in accordance with party rules certified to the secretary of state by the chairperson of the state committee on or before the first Tuesday in January of each year a primary is to be held pursuant to this chapter.